Abstract: Objective　To evaluate the efficacy and safety of inhaled corticosteroids for preventing chronic lung disease (CLD) in preterm infants. Methods　PubMed, EMBASE, CENTRAL, the ISI Web of Knowledge databases, CBM, CNKI, VIP and Wanfang Data were searched for the period up to Oct. 2016. All randomized controlled trials (RCTs) about inhaled corticosteroids for preventing CLD in preterm infants were collected. The RCTs had been screened, data were extracted and assessed. The mata-analysis was performed by RevMan 5.3 software. Result　A total of 12 RCTs were included (a total of 2051 preterm neonates).  Compared with control group, in 28 day old group, the incidence of CLD was not significantly  different between experimental and control groups (RR=0.87, 95%CI:0.74-1.03, P=0.11) and (RR=1.19, 95%CI:0.59-2.43, P=0.63) and  no significant  difference among subgroups budesonide (α), beclomethasone (β), fluticasone (γ)  (RR=0.89, 95%CI:0.69-1.14, P=0.35), (RR=0.86, 95%CI:0.69-1.08, P=0.19) and (RR=0.91, 95%CI:0.60-1.38, P=0.19). In 36 wk postmenstrual age group,the incidence of CLD was decreased in experimental group and in subgroups inhalation (A), Intratracheal administration (B), α, γ (RR=0.70, 95%CI: 0.61-0.80, P<0.00001), (RR=0.74, 95%CI: 0.63-0.87, P=0.0003), (RR=0.57, 95%CI: 0.43-0.76, P=0.0002), (RR=0.67, 95%CI: 0.57-0.78, P<0.00001) and (RR=0.58, 95%CI: 0.36-0.94, P=0.03); but it is not significantly  different in  subgroup β (RR=0.98, 95%CI: 0.69-1.39, P=0.90); There was no difference in the motality in experimental and subgroups A ,B, α, β , γ (RR=1.07, 95%CI:0.86-1.33, P=0.55), (RR=1.24, 95%CI: 0.97-1.59, P=0.09), (RR=0.67, 95%CI: 0.43-1.03, P=0.07), (RR=1.04, 95%CI: 0.811.33, P=0.78), (RR=1.47, 95%CI: 0.79-2.74, P=0.22) and (RR=0.91, 95%CI: 0.47-1.74, P=0.77). No clinically significant adverse effects were observed during the study.  Conclusions　This updated review indicated that early administration of inhaled steroids to very low birth weight preterm neonates was effective in reducing the incidence of CLD. There was no statistically significant effect of inhaled steroids on motality, and there was no significant correlation between the mode of administration and the type of drug delivery, It is recommended to observe the 36 week gestational age as the outcome index. More and larger randomised placebo-controlled trials including long-term follow up are needed to establish the efficacy  and safety of inhalation corticosteroids.
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